Train-order box.



Patented May 27, I902.

I. G. HOAG.

TRAIN ORDER BOX.

(Application filed Mar. 18, 1902.)

(No Mndel.)

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IRA G. I'IOAG, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

TRAIN-ORDER Box.

bPEGIFICA'IION forming part of Letters Patent No. 700,928, dated May 27, 1902.

Application filed March 18, 1902. Serial No. 98,862. (No model.)

To (0M 1071,0711, it may zi'oltccrn:

Be it known that I, IRA G. IIOAG, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California,haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Train-Order Boxes in Connectionwith Semaphores,whichis supplementary to and a modification of my invention shown in Letters Patent No. 692,666, granted to me February 4, 1902, for train-order boxes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in train-order boxes in combination with the means usually used for working semaphores; and the object of my invention is to provide a box for the reception of train-orders which when not containing an order or other paper is in such position that the semaphore will be set to show a clear track, but when put in use for holding a train-order is in such position that the semaphore cannot be set to show a clear track, but shows the stop or danger signal to the engineer of the approaching train. I accomplish this object by the device described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, which is a perspective view of a station equipped with my improved device, the end of the office being removed for clearness of illustration.

In the operation of railroads it is necessary that the movement of the train shall be controlled by a train-despatcher at a central station, who sends to the outlying stations on the line of the road orders for the various trains. These orders are sent to the various stations on the line of road and are written out at such stations by the operator thereat and should be delivered to the conductor in charge of the train. The local operator always intends to deliver such order, but in the rush of business or through forgetfulness may fail so to do. The object of my present improvement is to render such failure practically impossible.

In the drawing, A is the local operators table, at which he sits when receiving trainorders, the telegraphicinstruments and lines not being shown, as not necessary to the illustration of my invention. At the back of the table is a rack or frame 13, on the front portion of which are mounted the sliding orderboxcs G and 0, adapted when in their open position, as shown by box 0, for the reception oftrain-orders,orders(representedatD)being shown therein. On the front of the brackets are hooks F, one of which is covered by box 0, to which the cord H, which operates semaphore I, is hooked when there are no orders for the incoming train, which permits the semaphore I to drop into the position shown, which indicates that the track is clear and the train may proceed without danger. In a sliding train-order box which embodies my invention it will be impossible for an operator to remove the order-blanks from the box until he has set hisorder-board at danger or orders position byreleasing the cord H from hook F, when the semaphore-arm will go to the danger position, operated by gravity-weights attached thereon. After the cord is released from the hook the operator may pull the sliding drawer out a certain distance for safety or far enough to prevent an operator clearing his board without noticing the box, as he cannot fasten the rope onto the hook until the drawer is pushed in. \Vhen the sliding box has been pulled out to danger position, as shown at O, the swinging pivoted lock G will drop into avertical position and display in front ofthe operator and immediately over the box the danger indicating. portion painted red. When in an upright position, it is impossible for the operator to lock his signal to the hook or shove the order-box to clear position until after he raises the swinging pivoted lock to a horizontal position, as shown at O. der-box out to danger position, he may then remove the stylus and train-order blank and proceed to receive his orders from the despatcher. With a sliding train-order box it is intended for an operator to leave it set at danger position whenever he has train-orders or important papers for an incoming train. He must place them in the box and leave it set at danger until the train arrives and conductor receipts for the same. Thus absolute safety is assured, and it is practically impossible for an operator to forget and clear a train when he should not have done so.

By the use of a sliding box a convenient place is arranged to keep the stylus and train-order blanks when not in use, as it is Then the operator has drawn the ornot necessary to pull the box to danger only when an operator wishes to use the stylus and the order-blanks. Many railway companies do not furnish a suitable place to keep order-blanks when not in use, and an oper ator may misplace orders or forget to deliver them, thus endangering both lives and property. Thus it will be seen that by use of a sliding box I accomplish two very important improvements worthy of consideration. My improved sliding order-boxes will save an operator a great deal of worry for fear he will forget to deliver orders in addition to preventing him from doing so. The pivoted lock G forms a closure for the front end of my box, through which the orders are passed,

. and projects around the sides of the box,

where it is pivoted, and terminates at the other end in a danger-display portion, (indicated on the drawing by the letter 9,) and it should be painted red to indicate the danger 7 claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a gravity-operated semaphore having an operating-cord secured "thereto, a sliding order-box to receive a stylus and order-blank, a hook below the same to engage an operatingcord, the cord adapted when hooked thereon to pass in front of the box and prevent the .box from being opened, a pivoted lock hinged to said box and adapted to close the end of the box when the box is in its closed position, and when the box is drawn out to assume a vertical position leaving the end of the box open and displaying a danger-indicating portion over the open end thereof.

2. A sliding train-order box to receive and hold train-orders in combination with means to operate a semaphore-arm comprising a cord secured at one end thereto and the other end adapted to be hooked onto a hook disposed below the order-box and when hooked to prevent the box being opened; a hook below the order-box; a pivoted lock on said box carrying at one end a closure for said box and a danger-indicating portion at the other end, the said lock adapted to cover theend of the box when the box is slid in and when the box is drawn out to remove the cover from the end of the box and to display the danger porti on.

3. A sliding train-order box having a pivoted lock secured thereto, the said lock being provided at one end with a danger-display portion and at the other end with a closure for the box, the said lock being adapted when the box is pushed into the closed position to close the end of the box and to remove the danger-display portion from sight and when the box is'drawn out to assume a vertical position in which the closure is removed from the end of the box, leaving it open, and the danger-display portion is displayed over the end of the box.

4. In a gravity-operated semaphore system for railways, a sliding train-order box, a hook below the end of the box, a semaphore-operating cord, secured at one end of the semaphore-arm and the other end adapted to be hooked to the hook, the hook so disposed below the end of the box that the operatingcord will pass down in front of the box and prevent the box from being opened when the cord is hooked, whereby the box cannot be opened for use until the operating-cord is loose permitting the semaphore-arm to go to the danger position.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 10th day of March, 1902.

IRA G. I-IOAG.

Witnesses:

HENRY T. HAZARD, G. E. HARPHAM. 

